Albania is the second country in Eastern Europe, after Hungary, to enter its fourth year of reforms without early elections. This is a great victory for democracy, the strongest evidence of the country's stability and respect for the free vote, and thus of the consolidation of democracy, democratic concepts and culture in Albania, and a profound defeat for the forces of anti-reform, the Enverists and extremists of every kind. This victory for the forces of reform is all the greater if we bear in mind the destructive, nihilistic stance of the opposition leadership which, after March 1992, counted down the months of the democratic government, proclaimed and predicted its overthrow within six months, then declared that winter would freeze everything and the coming summer would dry everything up—all accompanied by propaganda of deception, disillusionment and slander, and efforts to undermine the institutions, calls for coups and other such things. What is more, the former Albanian secret police and its leaders used to say that the East was 20–30 times ahead of us; before the start of reform, today it is no more than 1–3 times ahead. According to the EBRD, more than 50% of GDP in Albania is now produced in the private sector. These are among the country's major achievements, though not the only ones, which emerged and became consolidated during the PD government. No honest and objective person who pauses for a moment and recalls the situation two or three years ago can fail to recognize that the economic situation today is incomparable. 1995 is the decisive year for reform, the year in which the forces supporting reform will reap some of its fruits. Soon the Government will distribute the securities, and this is the high point of reform—not only because of its enormous importance for privatization, but also because of its significance for individual citizens, since the national wealth will be divided among more than one million owners; preparations are being made to compensate property owners. The anti-democrats have resorted to traps, intrigues and slander against democracy. The Dokles, Rucet and those who lead them have openly moved on to offers and rewards worthy only of them and their past, forgetting that crimes never go unpunished and that, on the path they have taken, they will fare worse than their masters. The anti-reform headquarters celebrated the failure to approve the Constitution on 6 November with glee. They moved from bluff to bluff on the Constitution after the referendum. They countered the PD's constructive proposals with the “Omari” commission, demonstrating yet again that blocking—and only blocking—the Constitution is their interest. Taken by surprise in recent weeks by the Government's determination to speed up reform and distribute the securities, they have mobilized all their resources, secret connections, party press and those who control the reserve players, and launched a frontal attack against today's state institutions, the values of democracy and the achievements of reform. For this purpose, they have recreated their disinformation offices with the old experts and are filling their media with slander and disinformation, portraying the dictatorship we experienced as a breeze and the present as a torrential downpour. They are loudly demanding early elections and trumpeting everywhere that, once in power, they will change the laws, with the sole aim of cancelling reform. In their failed anti-reform campaign, they spare not even the international institutions. Enver called them instruments of American imperialism; today's Enverists likewise portray democracy's allies and the main supporters of reforms—whose progress truly terrifies them morally and spiritually—as such. The great purpose and final objective of this all-encompassing, yet utterly desperate campaign is to block reform, but it is a quixotic campaign. During this year, reform will mark the final victory of the market economy in Albania and thus turn the anti-reformers' hopes, founded on criminal Marxist principles, into utter misery. ... of reform, but not only a landmark in terms of its extraordinary importance for privatization, but also in terms of citizens’ individual interests, because owners; steps are being taken to compensate owners and restore citizens’ properties, and to give land to the farmers of the countryside. These measures mark the expansion of the space for free initiative and the predominance in Albania of the property of free individuals, and this is an achievement with powerful implications for the present and future of the country. Dozens of road-improvement projects, water-supply construction projects and other projects in chromium, oil and gas will soon begin to be implemented. Thus, this year reform has entered its decisive stage in transforming the Albanian economy into a market economy. But against this platform, on which Albanians are successfully building the foundations of a completely different future for the individual, the family, society and the country as a whole, based on a philosophy that places the free individual at its centre, the anti-reform platform of the socialist leadership and other anti-reform elements in all parties is acting with absurd nervousness and unprecedented aggression. Blinded by the achievements of reform, especially by the phase that has begun, they ... the cities, enslaved the countryside, broke into warehouses, and see Albania moving ever further away from their dream. Today they are engaged in an unscrupulous and among the most immoral games: to kill the fruits of reform by organizing ... ...the reform, but not only a pivotal one in terms of the individual interests of citizens, because owners; measures are being taken to compensate owners and return citizens’ properties, and to grant land to the farmers in the countryside. These measures mark the expansion of the scope for free initiative, the prevalence in Albania of the property of the free individual, and this is an achievement with powerful repercussions road-improvement projects, water-supply system construction projects, as well as to be implemented. Thus, this year the reform are successfully laying the foundations of an entirely country as a whole, based on a philosophy at whose center stands the free individual, the platform of anti-reform acts with absurd nervousness and unprecedented aggression—the all the parties. Blinded by the achievements of the reform, particularly by the stage that has begun, they devastate the cities, enslave the countryside, smash warehouses, and see Albania drifting ever further from their dream. Today they are engaged in a shameless of the reform by organizing ...

Yesterday afternoon, the PD parliamentary group discussed the request by the Prosecutor General to lift the immunity of the President of the Court of Cassation, Zef Brozi, and bring him before the courts. As is known, following a request by the PD parliamentary group, the Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament was to decide whether or not of Cassation. Yesterday, the PD parliamentary group decided that Zef Brozi must appear before the courts to demonstrate his trust in justice and prove his innocence. to prove his innocence. “RD” correspondent

Selami at the meeting of the PD Branch Executive Yesterday in the city of Fier, PDSh Chairman Eduard Selami, accompanied by Messrs Rexhep Uka and Hasan Halili, took part in an expanded meeting of the Fier PD branch executive. For more than four hours, they discussed with their party leader the most pressing problems affecting the area, their ties with the dream, current political solutions, the future of PD governance, future work plans, and so on. The branch chairman, Ferdinand Agalliu, and secretary, Petrit Çerçeni, both presented reports on the branch’s work, the achievement of political objectives, and handling election campaigns, of which there were several in the Fier area during ’94. The main issues concerned the concerns of officials selected by the PD, the suspension midway of administrative reform, and so on. According to Chairman Agalliu, the initial selection of personnel after 22 March was affected by inexperience and a lack of organization. There are now 3,026 members in Fier, 541 more than in 1993. The 109 sections also include 427 intellectuals. But it was stressed that “A new, arrogant attitude often makes the work of some ordinary people go up in smoke.” The people ask: what is happening with land, property, compensation and privatization? Executive members such as I. Ferizaj and Durim Grabova raised issues that had been promised for resolution to the people of Fier, including the water-supply issue, for which funds were said to be forthcoming from the World Bank, but which so far has remained only words. Sotiraga Aleksi, the mayor, argued that he had long ago requested building plots, but this delicate issue, one of the main points in the PD programme, had also been sabotaged by district council chairman Robert Bitri. The actor Muhamet Sherri said that it was a disgrace for the theatre to be robbed in broad daylight, in front of the police. Later, in the speeches of MP Fadil Çepele and others, it was emphasized that governance was faltering not because of a lack of technical efficiency, but because of a lack of awareness. The National Council delegate Rexhep Uka reiterated some of the issues raised at the branch’s previous expanded meeting, as premises for setting the PD’s work priorities and regional strategy for Fier. Mr Uka also clarified his personal position, and that of an MP, regarding the issue that justice... In his speech, Selami reiterated that in all the meetings he had held with the branches, the problems had been the same: the branch had been kept apart from power—or, rather, distanced from it—reducing its influence on the governance of the country. The time has now come, and the conditions have matured, for the right solutions to be found. “We are a successful force,” Selami said, “but inexperienced. I think the time has come to restructure the links between the PD and the government. That is why we decided to strengthen the branches with members of the executive. But we are faced with a figure of 90% non-fulfilment of the branches’ requests. I think it is essential that the head of the executive join forces with the party leader.” The administration should belong to the PD, since the PD is the party in power. The facts show that there is no synchronization between the wishes and opinions of the people, whom the PD stands alongside as a party, and the work of the Government, on the other hand. The Government has always had the PD’s support, but it should not be forgotten that a minister’s chair is occupied not only by his personal supporters, but also by the votes and hopes of an entire people. The PD’s policy—Selami concluded—

After a fierce political divergence that led to a major split within the PSD, the reformist wing that clashed with secretary Gjinushi and his followers, whose leading figures included Laço, Starove and others, brought their efforts to fruition by creating another front of Albanian social democracy. Accordingly, the Ministry of Justice today approved the Albanian Social Democratic Union Party. This is another political force that will represent a portion of the Albanian electorate sensitive to social-democratic alternatives. Branded by the PSD leadership as “political marionettes” and so on, the founders of the Social Democratic Union Party have embarked on their political path as a hope for social democracy.

Yesterday afternoon, at the seat of the Council of Ministers, Deputy Prime Minister Dylber Vrioni, Ministers Albert Brojka and Engjell Daki, lawyers and others held a meeting with representatives of the Independent Trade Unions of Albania, led by Mr. Valer Xheka, and of the union of employees at the shoe factory in Tirana, to discuss the concerns surrounding the long strike being held by these workers. For more details about the concerns behind this strike and what was emphasized at yesterday’s meeting, read our next issue. RD correspondent

The PSD branch in Tropoje dissolves itself Statement by the Tropoje branch of the Social Democratic Party The Tropoje branch of the PSD, established in June 1991 and spread throughout the district, has more than 576 members, 33% of whom are intellectuals, with representatives in all levels of local government. It has consistently worked to win and consolidate democracy in Tropoje and Albania, fighting communism and dictatorship and every tendency to turn back. The decisive vote in the District Council and in four municipalities enabled the democratic camp to win in Tropoje. This was certainly no accident, but also the work and sweat of the true social democrats of Tropoje. For about a year, part of the leadership and Council of the PSDSH ... under the tutelage of its principal leaders, have gradually opposed democratic developments, reform and progress, leaning toward the programme and methods of the PP(S) and its satellites, which at certain times have harmed Albanian politics in its efforts to stabilize and establish itself at home and abroad—as was the case with the referendum, the constitution and, most recently, the governing coalition. The Tropoje branch has openly criticized and opposed these positions, with the aim of ensuring that social democrats stand alongside Albania’s fragile democracy, built with effort and upon one of the ... (Continued on page 2)

At yesterday’s meeting of the standing parliamentary committee for defence, public order and SHIK, Minister of Defence Safet Zhulali reported on the fulfillment of tasks within the army’s structures during 1994. He discussed the restructuring of the department he heads. Committee members praised the work of Minister Zhulali and his team in restructuring the defence system and shaping its future, in achieving the state budget objectives and preparing the draft budget for 1995, etc. Meanwhile, members of the standing committee for culture and information media ... (Continued on page 2)

The fourth assembly of the Organization of Unrepresented Nations and Peoples opened. Forty nations are taking part in its proceedings, including a delegation from Kosovo, as well as representatives of Albanians from Macedonia. It is reported that Cameria, represented at this assembly by the Political Association of Athdetare Cameria, was accepted as a full member of the Steering Committee of the General Assembly of Unrepresented Nations and Peoples. This constitutes a decisive step in the recognition of the issue of the Albanian minority in Cameria, Greece.

The trial of Arben Likes and three other defendants began yesterday at the Tirana District Court. Mr. Artan Zeneli, acting as presiding judge, declared the trial open, after which the prosecutor in the case, Mr. Artan Ruhaj, read the indictment, which had been made known to the defendants six months earlier and was clearly read. The defendants are accused of the criminal offense of smuggling in collaboration, which they denied. After ... and the defence lawyers, the presiding judge ordered that the witnesses be questioned. The questioning began after Mr. Mark Pellumbi, defence lawyer for Arben Likes, raised several objections concerning difficulties in communicating with his client over the past 10 days. The trial panel accepted the objections and undertook to remedy them. The witnesses were then questioned; some were also absent yesterday. What the witnesses testified to at this hearing generally matched their testimony during the preliminary phase. For all the witnesses ... ... questions were asked by the trial panel, the prosecutor in the case, and the defence lawyers. The defendants’ questions to the witnesses were limited. At the conclusion of the witness questioning, prosecutor Mr. Rribarj requested that a number of additional witnesses be summoned, whom he considered necessary to substantiate the charge. Mr. Pellumbi requested that only one citizen from Gjirokastra be called as a witness. This brought the first day of the trial to a close; it will continue in the coming days. ILIRIANA A. BAJO

Page 2 [The text in the columns on the left is cut off at the top of the image.] ... in the coming summer would dry everything up, accompanied by all this with propaganda of deception, disappointment and slander, organizing the sabotage of supplies, breaking locks and other acts of vandalism. Indeed, the former Albanian secret police, directed by its agents, began organizing secret meetings and drawing up blacklists. Thus, from the date of the elections on 22 March until today, Albania has witnessed a confrontation between two alternatives, two platforms, more intense than in any other Eastern country: the reform platform, based on the PD programme and broadly supported by reformist forces in all parties, and the anti-reform platform of the Albanian socialist leadership, Enverist elements and other malicious anti-reform forces. In this difficult contest, time proved that the force behind the changes, achieved at no small cost, was on the side of the reformist forces. Thus Albania—the land of scorched earth, impoverished property, hunger, alms, destruction, empty shops, long queues and zero foreign-currency reserves, where bread, oil, salt and soap were sometimes unavailable—began down the path of change and reform, with price liberalization, job cuts and other truly painful measures. Yet, through this process, it halted the fall in production and the inflation crisis, privatized land and housing, and gradually privatized thousands of enterprises. In two years it was transformed into the country with the highest economic growth in Eastern Europe. It is indeed a country with the lowest indicators, but the difference between these indicators and those of other countries ...

Instead of a reply to the village postman, Guro Zeneli Page 2

On Sunday, 29 January 1995, at 10:00, an expanded national meeting of the PDSH National Council will be held in the hall of the National History Museum, with the participation of members of the National Council, members of parliament and the government. Press and Information Department of the PDSH